Announcements and Special Events
Come explore Plum Island’s largest cranberry bog with the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. It’s the perfect…
We’re excited to announce a unique opportunity to enjoy beautiful choral music in support of nature conservation! The Artemis Circle Choral Project, a group known for performing free concerts to…
In celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week, the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with Mass Audubon, hosted a special bird banding program on October 15. Participants…
October 12, 2024 – Today’s weather report predicts a chance of showers after the 10 AM start time on Sunday, Oct 13, with increased potential for rain throughout the day.…
Join us for a special Open Mic Poetry Event, “The Plum of Islands—Poetry Project,” sponsored by the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge! Come celebrate the beauty of nature and birding…
This October, come celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge with a variety of fun, family-friendly events! From October 13th to 19th, the Friends of Parker…
We are excited to announce Susan Coolidge as the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge’s Artist of the Month for October. Susan’s breathtaking landscapes, inspired by the marshes and woods surrounding…
This fall, the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge are excited to once again host our annual Refuge Beach Clean-Up—a meaningful event that supports habitat preservation. We invite volunteers…
Sept. 1 – Sept. 31, Parker River Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA This September, the Parker River Wildlife Refuge is proud to showcase the work…
The Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge are excited to invite you to a beloved event led by Bill Gette and David Williams: witnessing the awe-inspiring spectacle of countless…
Meet June's Artist of the Month: Peter Neverette
Peter Neverette, a New England native, has been selected as the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge's Artist of the Month for June 2024. Since receiving his first camera in 2019, Peter has dedicated himself to capturing the beauty of nature and the poignant collision of man-made structures and the natural world. His evocative work is on display at the Parker River Visitor Center through June 30.
Artist of the Month: Joe Carey
Explore the imaginative world of Joe Carey, our May 2024 Artist of the Month, whose paintings blur the lines between the natural world and mythical realms. See his work at our Visitor Center this month!
🌟 Artist Spotlight: Joe Carey 🎨 Dive into the whimsical worlds painted by Joe Carey, our May Artist of the Month! His creations capture the magical moments where nature meets imagination.
Don't miss his exhibition at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Newburyport until May 31.
Saving the Great Salt Marsh - Lecture and Field Trip
🌊🌿 Join us for an enlightening afternoon exploring the resilience of the Great Salt Marsh!
📆 Saturday, May 4th, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
🔍 Dive into an insightful lecture by Nancy Pau, USFWS Wildlife Biologist, and learn about the challenges and innovations in marsh conservation. Understand how rising sea levels and extreme weather are impacting our local habitats and communities, and what it means for our future.
🚶♀️ After the talk, take part in an optional field trip to a restoration site within the Refuge. Spaces are limited, so ensure you register early! Wear your waterproof boots and get ready for an adventure.
🌐 For more information and to register for the field trip, email [email protected] with your interest in joining both the lecture and the field trip. Let’s protect and learn about our precious marsh together!
🖥 Prefer to join virtually? The lecture will be available via Zoom. Register by sending an email to [email protected] to receive your Zoom link.
Join Us March 30th for the Spring Refuge Beach Clean-Up!
Dive into a day of conservation and community at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this spring! The Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge invites you to be part of our traditional beach clean-up event. A day where volunteers of all ages come together to remove litter from our beautiful refuge beaches and salt marsh edges, making a real difference for our local wildlife and habitat.
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Parking Lot #1, Plum Island, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Trash bags and a safety orientation will be provided. We're also calling on volunteers interested in trail maintenance to bring along loppers and clippers. Let's make our refuge a cleaner, safer place for everyone to enjoy. Your efforts matter—a heartfelt thank you in advance from the Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge!
📸 Discover the Wild: Dive into our March Artist of the Month exhibit 📸
This month we're lucky enough to showcase stunning wildlife photography by three local talents - Dan Oh, Kristine Patti and Sue Poublon. Experience the beauty and intricacy of our natural wildlife and landscapes through their lenses. A visual journey awaits! Learn more.
The Refuge is Hiring!
Great Marsh Restoration Coordinator Position Now Open
Join the biology team as the Great Marsh Restoration Coordinator leading ecological projects including invasive species management, ditch remediation, data collection, public education and outreach, and supervising summer field techs.
This is a great job for someone with strong data management skills and coastal ecology knowledge who loves working with people and being outdoors! This position is offered in partnership with Mass Audubon and is benefits eligible. This is a 9 month position with the possibility of extension up to 3 years based on performance and funding. Learn more and apply online.
Even More Hiring!
Join the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge visitor services team in a part-time administrative assistant position supporting visitor center operations. This position will provide support answering public calls, e-mails, and drop-in questions, as well as helping with pass sales and office management tasks. A perfect job for those who love talking to and meeting new people!
Pay for this position is $22/hr and requires on-site work Tuesdays plus one additional day each week from 8am - 4:30pm. This position is offered through the Experienced Services Program. Click here learn more and apply.
Did you know?
You can help support the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends by supporting the and the future of wildlife conservation through the Doug Chickering Internship Program.
Learn more and make a difference today with your donation at Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
In case you missed it! Check out the wonderful write up about the work that was done on the refuge this week! Link to The Daily News article here
Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting the US Fish & Wildlife Service Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Our Friends organization is entirely dependent upon volunteer support and funding from membership dues, donations, grants and fund raising events.
The Refuge is located on Plum Island, a barrier island and nearby Great Salt Marsh area in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, along the major bird migration route known as the Atlantic Flyway. It is comprised of more than 4,700 acres of pristine coastal habitat for more than 300 species of resident and migratory birds, as well as a large variety of mammals, insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians. In addition to wildlife conservation, the Refuge provides unique opportunities to experience an undeveloped, coastal environment near major metropolitan areas. See http://www.fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/.
Our Friends Organization:
Supports the primary purposes for which the Refuge was established.
Promotes the preservation of the natural and historical resources of the Refuge.
Fosters the wildlife-dependent use of the Refuge and the enjoyment of it by the public, consistent with its protection and preservation.
Engages in such educational, scientific and civic activities to assist the Refuge to carry out its mandates.
The Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all our corporate sponsors and friends
Corporate Sponsors:
We appreciate all of your help and support. Please visit their websites for more information about each organization/business.
Tom’s Plum Island Birding Page
Essex County Ornithological Club
Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center
